Kosher at the PJCC

What Does “Kosher” Mean?

The traditional Jewish framework for eating is called kashrut or keeping kosher. These guidelines, rooted in the Torah (the Jewish Bible) and rabbinic teachings, include: 

• Avoiding certain animal products such as pork, shellfish, insects, and birds of prey 
• Avoiding the mixture of dairy and meat products 
• Consuming only permitted meats 
• Minimizing an animal’s pain during slaughter and draining as much blood as possible 
• Consuming grape products (like wine) that have been Jewishly supervised 

In our 21st Century world, different people understand kashrut in many ways. It may be a daily reminder of Jewish identity, a chain of tradition and divine command, a system of spiritual awareness, or a way to consider ethical and environmental issues such as meat consumption and waste. 

Our Framework: Public vs. Private Eating 

Jewish tradition distinguishes between R’shut haRabim (public eating) and R’shut haYachid (private eating). At the PJCC, we honor that each household has its own private eating choices while ensuring our public spaces and programs remain welcoming for Jews of all levels of observance. It’s our way of upholding our Guiding Principles: Celebrating Jewish Tradition and Welcoming All. 

Public Eating Kashrut Policy 

This policy applies to any PJCC-organized or supervised event or gathering, on-campus or offsite: 

1. No pork or shellfish is permitted. 
2. Vegetarian/pescatarian/“dairy” meals do not require kosher certification. 
3. When a meat meal (poultry or red meat) is served, it must be kosher. No dairy products or ingredients may be present or served alongside it. Vegetarian options should always be available. Kosher meat meals must be prepared by a kosher caterer, cooked under rabbinic supervision, or purchased fully cooked in kosher packaging. 
4. Kosher wine should be provided as an option whenever alcohol is served. 
5. Reducing waste is a priority—please join us in minimizing both food and packaging waste. 
6. If anyone requires an individually wrapped strictly kosher meal beyond PJCC’s standard policy, we treat that request with full respect and do our best to accommodate it. 
7. Our indoor café seating is part of the public eating domain and is therefore reserved for vegetarian/pescatarian/dairy consumption. 
8. Passover: When we are open during Passover, no bread or other leavened products may be brought or consumed on site. We do, however, follow Sephardic and many contemporary Conservative and Reform traditions by permitting the consumption of kitniyot (rice and legumes). 

Private Eating for Individual Consumption For private meals—things like your personal lunch from home or a small offsite gathering where only personal portions are ordered—we simply ask for no pork or shellfish, and no leavened products during Passover, to be present. Beyond that, the public kashrut policy does not apply.

Sample Kosher Menus

Not sure where to start? Here are a few ideas: 

• Salad bar with tuna, salmon, egg, or cheese 
• Sushi with tuna, salmon, or veggies (no crab) 
• Thai-inspired meals (Pad Thai with egg and tofu, green curry with sea bass) 
• Baked goods with no lard or meat ingredients 
• Kosher BBQ: hot dogs, plant-based burgers, chips without cheesy coatings, non-dairy popsicles 
• Shabbat dinner: kosher chicken, roasted veggies in olive oil, non-dairy desserts 
• Falafel with pita, salads, and either add kosher meat OR make it vegetarian friendly with feta and tzatziki 
• Mexican-style beans and rice, veggie fajitas, fish tacos, quesadillas, or DIY burritos

Have questions or need clarification? Our Chief Jewish Experience Officer is here to help. We’re committed to supporting the diverse needs of our community while honoring Jewish traditions in a welcoming, inclusive way. 

We’re delighted to have you exploring Jewish life at the PJCC! By engaging with kashrut, you’re joining a rich tapestry of tradition that keeps our community connected, inspired, and nourished—physically and spiritually. Shalom and bon appétit!